Hispanic Republican group to meet in New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. 
A conservative Republican group formed last year to woo more Hispanics to the GOP will hold its second conference in Albuquerque next month.

The Hispanic Leadership Network, which is backed by former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman and his American Action Network, on Wednesday will announce plans for the gathering Sept. 23 and 24 at the Hyatt Regency. The group's inaugural conference was held in January in Miami.

Coleman says the network was created to engage Hispanics on "center-right" issues like the economy, jobs, education and immigration reform.

He says New Mexico was chosen in part because it has a new Republican Hispanic governor, Susana Martinez, who will speak at the conference.

New Mexico is also a key Western state in next year's presidential election.